Wole Shadare 
The Federal Government yesterday suspended Dana Airline’s fleet operations over safety concerns. This followed Tuesday’s incident involving a Dana Air plane, which veered off the Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos runway.
The aircraft was carrying 83 passengers, who all escaped unhurt. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, issued the suspension order through a memo by the Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Meribole. Keyamo said the incident had raised concerns regarding both the safety and financial viability of Dana Air operations.
He also said the suspension was for the aviation regulatory to carry out a comprehensive audit on the carrier and to ascertain the health status of the airline.
He said: “As the supervisor overseeing our nation’s aviation safety and regulatory compliance, it has come to the minister’s attention that recent incidents involving DANA Air have raised serious concerns regarding both the safety and financial viability of their operations.
“In light of these incidents and with the paramount priority being the safety and wellbeing of our citizens and travellers, the minister has directed that you immediately initiate the suspension of Dana Airline’s fleet until a comprehensive audit can be conducted.”
